How long can butter sit out?

I used to know a family that NEVER refrigerated their butter ~ it was always that wonderful spreadable texture. I want to make cookies later on... think I can leave it out half the day? Just need reassurance. lol.

I used to know a family that NEVER refrigerated their butter ~ it was always that wonderful spreadable texture. I want to make cookies later on... think I can leave it out half the day? Just need reassurance. lol.

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Years ago my mom would say it would get rancid. But I think that depends on the length & the temperature. I'm sure half a day at normal temperature will be fine. I do it often. Now if only I could bake cookies!!

However, I had butter sitting out on my counter all day on Friday (it's when we celebrated Thanksgiving b/c my DH is a firefighter and was on shift T-Day). I left it sitting it out, b/c I knew that if I needed it, I would need it room temp and not need to or want to or have time to wait for it to soften.

And the butter was perfect for the evening meal when people wanted to spread it on their dinner rolls. That's just my two cents.

Salted butter is ok to leave out at room temperature. Unsalted butter should always be refrigerated.

Have a great Sunday!

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Interesting...........If your a big Food TV fan you'll notice that all bakers and chefs use unsalted butter, and yes they bake with their butter at room temp.
As someone in the food industry I would say if you are not using a butter bell please put your butter back in the fridge after 2-3 hours. Butter can be left out but not for long periods of time. (just my two cents)

I grew up on butter on a butter dish in the cupboard and still store my butter this way. I always keep a stick on a dish in the cupboard and have never had any problems. We use a stick of butter every 3-5 days, then a new stick comes of of the frig and into the cupboard.

I grew up on butter on a butter dish in the cupboard and still store my butter this way. I always keep a stick on a dish in the cupboard and have never had any problems. We use a stick of butter every 3-5 days, then a new stick comes of of the frig and into the cupboard.

We keep ours on the counter. I have never had a problem. If i am baking i will either have my butter sit out all day or over night. If not, i stick it in the microwave for 2 minutes on power level 1. Just make sure to check it!